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Who Is CeeLo Green?
CeeLo Green, born Thomas DeCarlo Callaway on May 30, 1974, in Atlanta, Georgia, is an accomplished singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer known for his distinctive voice and eclectic musical style. Initially gaining recognition as a member of the influential hip-hop group Goodie Mob, Green later achieved significant success both as a solo artist and as part of the duo Gnarls Barkley, alongside producer Danger Mouse. His career expanded to television, where he became a popular coach on the NBC show The Voice. Although his most recent album, Heart Blanche, was released in 2015, Green has continued to release new music, sparking rumors of an impending solo project.
From Goodie Mob to Collaborations with OutKast
Green’s musical journey began in the church, influenced by his parents, both of whom were ministers. His father passed away when he was just two years old, and his mother died when he was 18. In the early 1990s, Green formed Goodie Mob with Big Gipp, Khujo, and T-Mo, releasing their debut album Soul Food in 1995. The group had already garnered attention from their appearances on OutKast’s groundbreaking 1994 album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, contributing to tracks such as “Call of da Wild” and “Git Up, Git Out.” Green’s ability to both rap and sing was rare in hip-hop at the time, earning praise from critics, including Rolling Stone, which highlighted his soulful vocals as a standout feature.
Goodie Mob’s second album, Still Standing (1998), continued their success, but after their third album, World Party (1999), Green left the group due to creative differences, marking the beginning of his solo career.
Solo Career and Gnarls Barkley’s Breakthrough
Green’s solo career evolved with the release of Gnarls Barkley, his collaboration with producer Danger Mouse. The duo’s 2006 debut, St. Elsewhere, was a commercial and critical triumph, with the single “Crazy” becoming a worldwide hit. The song debuted at No. 1 on the UK download chart and remained there for 11 weeks, eventually earning Rolling Stone’s title of “Song of the Decade.” Gnarls Barkley’s unique fusion of electronic, industrial, and soul music created a distinctive sound that captured the public’s imagination.
Their 2008 follow-up, The Odd Couple, received mixed reviews and less commercial success, but Green returned to solo music with the viral hit “F*** You” (later censored as “Forget You”) in 2010. The song quickly garnered millions of views online and became a chart-topping hit in the UK, earning Green five Grammy nominations. His 2010 album The Lady Killer was also well-received, cementing his place as a mainstream solo artist.
Judge on The Voice and Continued Success
In 2011, Green became a coach on The Voice, joining fellow stars Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, and Adam Levine. His charisma and unconventional approach to mentoring made him a fan favorite. After three seasons, Green took a break from the show in 2012, later returning for one final season in 2013. During this time, he also released a holiday album, CeeLo’s Magic Moment, and reunited with Goodie Mob for their album Age Against the Machine.
Challenges and New Directions
Green’s 2015 album Heart Blanche received lukewarm reviews, with Rolling Stone criticizing its pretentious tendencies. Personal controversies also affected his career, notably a 2012 sexual battery accusation that resulted in a plea of no contest to supplying ecstasy, along with a series of ill-received tweets on the topic of rape. These events led to public backlash and the cancellation of his reality show CeeLo Green’s The Good Life. Despite these setbacks, Green continued to work with artists such as Mac Miller and Raekwon, and in 2020, he released the single “Lead Me” while working on a new soul album.
Personal Life
Green’s personal life has been equally high-profile. He became engaged to Shani James in 2014, and the couple appeared on Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition in 2020. Green has a son, Kingston, and two stepdaughters from his previous marriage to Christina Johnson, which ended in divorce in 2005. He is also a grandfather to his stepdaughter’s child.
CeeLo Green’s career has been marked by musical innovation, controversy, and resilience, and his continued influence in both music and television ensures that he remains an iconic figure in popular culture.